Deployment Guide 2011/One Laptop per Child
OLPC Deployment Guide 2011: One Laptop Per Child
One Laptop per Child (OLPC) is a non-profit organization founded in 2005 with the goal of transforming education by providing every child with access to a connected laptop computer, the XO laptop. Connected laptops provide a cost-effective way for states to create learning environments that facilitate the greatest possible development of all children. We are driven by a firm belief that laptops have a unique ability to leverage children’s innate curiosity and desire to learn, to develop critical thinking skills, and to foster a life-long love of learning.
OLPC Mission
To create educational opportunities for all by providing each child with a rugged, low-cost, low-power, connected laptop with content and software designed for collaborative, joyful, self-empowered learning.
Five core principles
- Child ownership Access to information and activities at all times create a portable learning and teaching environment. Child ownership includes protecting, caring for, and sharing this creative environment.
- Low ages The XO is designed for the use of children ages 4 to 12, covering the years of elementary school.
- Saturation In order to achieve meaningful educational improvement each child should own a laptop so no one is left out: digital saturation implies whole communities to become a part of the program.
- Connection XOs not only connect to the internet but to other XOs as well, providing an “expanded school” that grows beyond the walls of the classroom, enabling a dialogue among generations, nations and cultures.
- Free and Open Software As children grow and pursue new ideas, the software, content, resources and tools should be able to grow with them. Children not only participate in activities and acquire knowledge; they can create activities and transfer knowledge too, and share it with the entire global community.